Duet3D PCB delta printer effector sneak preview
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David, this is awesome! Although I like my IR sensor, it has its limitations, and the contact solution like this would be great. However, I have a question. How this will accommodate existing mounting for arms? It does not look like the PCB has a lot of space to mount something like Rostock ball-cup attachments or u-joints, unless they are mounted on posts. The problem with switching arms is that it would also require switching (or adjusting) attachements on the carriage side, or possibly changing carriages. While this may be ideal for some people (as you have noted you have eliminated the tilt buy changing the arms/carriages), it does add to the total cost of the solution, as well as the time involved.
As for the weight of the PCB vs Al effector, I wouldn't think that a PCB is necessary lighter than Al plate such as http://713maker.com/effector.html or a similar from http://tricklaser.com. The 713 effector (without a mount) weighs in at about 10g and Rostock ball-cup plastic effector (without a mount) about 13g. Sure, there is an added weight of the mount, and PCB-only plate might be lighter, but I do not think it is really that important here, as the weight of E3D extruder is about 50-80g or even more for some models.
Regardless of the weights, I would propose separating the effector from the mount part. This way, people will be still able to use their current effectors/arms/carriages/rails without modification. I understand that it will require additional work for you, but it would save a lot of work and money for those who are not ready to buy the whole set. -Thanks.
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If you look at the first post in this thread, you will see that we have matching PCB carriage adapters. We will be selling the effector + carriage adapters as a set. This ensures that the arm spacing is the same at the carriages as it is at the effector to a high degree of precision, which eliminates one of the sources of effector tilt and calibration difficulties. Using a separate mount would lose that benefit. But of course you could attach your own mounting system to the effector in place of the ball studs if you didn't want to use magnetic arms.
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Thanks for the reply David. I have seen that matching sets will be available, but that brings me back to the point of the increased cost (effector+arms+carriages+new E3D = $$$). Obviously, precision of the build is not easy to achieve, but not everyone will want to get the complete set. While it is possible to attach the PCB to an existing effector, this will probably involve some drilling/cutting which is more time and a room for error. I am just worried that there won't be enough space, dimensions would not match, or I could not drill straight. I believe that having more mounting options out of the box could be good for sales too. I am sure that your design will be great, but my choice will be trying the effector first.
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The carriage adapters are just pieces of PCB, so they cost very little and it wouldn't make sense to offer the effector without them. They are designed to fit existing carriages with M3 fixing centres on a 20mm square. As for dimensions not matching, you are always going to have that issue if you want to retrofit a commercially-made effector to an existing design without fitting new rods as well.
If you already have an E3Dv6 then you shouldn't need a complete new hot end, just the new heatsink.
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Aren't there advantages to having the nozzle as close to the effector plate as possible?
I've seen folks use standoffs on the effector plate to get the mount for the hot end assembly up higher.
Not a good idea?
Frederick
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Mounting the hot end higher gives you a little extra build height. Also if you don't manage to eliminate effector tilt then it may reduce the resulting print distortion.
We considered whether we could mount the bottom of the heatsink to the effector instead of the top, but we couldn't find a practical arrangement.
The PCBs for the next version of the effector have arrived. This version has the top of the heatsink going through the effector, so the distance from the nozzle to the effector is reduced somewhat.
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David
Could you share a drawing of the top of the heatsink and mounting to the effector I need to get Lykle on board to design an adaptor so that a Nimble extruder can be mounted to it?
Doug
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Hey guys!
Any updates on this?
I'm just waiting to order
-Jannis
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Quite interested in this as well. Wound up machining a similar setup out of AL but without the electronics. Works rather nicely with the rod ends absolutely parallel.
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I've published the preliminary fitting instructions at https://duet3d.com/wiki/Smart_effector_and_carriage_adapters_for_delta_printer. I also added some photos, including this one:
This is our second prototype. The electronics is working even better than in the first prototype and we have been able to increase the sensitivity, so that the probing force is lower.
The combination of magnetic joints and two connectors (one for signal connections and the other for power connections) makes it very easy to remove the effector - the hardest part is removing the Bowden tube and filament from the hot end.
The main thing we need now is for E3D to finalise their new heatsink design. We may also make the effector a little larger to make the underside less cramped, which would increase the rod separation from the current 55mm to 60 or 65mm. Do any potential users have strong views on this?
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I machined mine at 55 and about the only thing I noted is having to be a bit more careful about anything mounted to the vertical tower and staying clear of the mounts (how. Do I know this,..it wasn't pretty). Larger seems like a good notion though.
Think a larger size would be useful if this got extended to two hot ends in the future.
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Im in for a full set as soon as they become available.
Thinking out loud on the wider spacing : would there be any noticeable deflection with the wider rod separation ?
And personally I would be modifying my Prometheus hotend to fit the effector, therefore could i ask for a picture of the modified e3d hotend out of the effector to see whats going on.
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Just wanted to stop in and say this is looking fabulous. I've been looking for a solution to house multiple tool heads with quick disconnects and this looks perfect for that.
A couple of features I'd really like to see:
1. A single connector on the back that can be universal for all the different tool heads (hot end, laser, cnc, touch probe, etc)
2. That single connector is a magnet style both for safety and for a quick change.
3. I'd like for the rods to carry current either for the connections needed (there are 6 connectors) or for fault-tolerant break detection.
4. a purple color from osh?Again really good work and thanks for sharing. If there's a beta or early product tester program sign me up.
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Just wanted to stop in and say this is looking fabulous. I've been looking for a solution to house multiple tool heads with quick disconnects and this looks perfect for that.
A couple of features I'd really like to see:
1. A single connector on the back that can be universal for all the different tool heads (hot end, laser, cnc, touch probe, etc)
2. That single connector is a magnet style both for safety and for a quick change.
3. I'd like for the rods to carry current either for the connections needed (there are 6 connectors) or for fault-tolerant break detection.
4. a purple color from osh?Again really good work and thanks for sharing. If there's a beta or early product tester program sign me up.
i vote for magnetic quick change too. as for connector - if i change tool, how than board will differentiate which tool is connected?
if it does then firmware may automatically adapt for the tool. -
The PCB effector uses two connectors, one for signal wires and one for power wires. This is to reduce the risk of mis-wiring causing a short. A magnetic connector might work for the signal wires, but I doubt that it could be used for the power wires.
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A magnetic connector might work for the signal wires, but I doubt that it could be used for the power wires.
Apple shoves 85w through Magsafe!
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Apple shoves 85w through Magsafe!
Have you seen the repair percentage on apple products power circuit ? a prime example of what NOT to do…......
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So the big question is when to expect availability on this seemingly very cool and precise product development?
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So the big question is when to expect availability on this seemingly very cool and precise product development?
Once you make a defined scheduled, circumstances beyond your control will always delay it three to six months!
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Haha good ol' Murphy hard at work…
